Health diplomacy as a soft power tool of Turkish foreign policy

In this study, the instrumentalisation of the health area in countries' foreign politics is discussed in relation to the notion of soft power. In parallel with the historical change of the notion of power, foreign policy instruments have developed and transformed. After the 1970s, health diplomacy emerged as one of the soft power tools as a foreign policy instrument. This study will focus on the notion of soft power as well as the British School's concept of International Community in the context of health diplomacy. The conceptual development of health diplomacy and its widespread use in the foreign policies of countries have been examined within the historical flow. Taking into account the humanitarian, social, economic and commercial aspects, health diplomacy has been examined under four topics: health assistance activities, health-oriented vocational training and relief activities, health tourism and health care products trade in today's conditions. After examining the use of these instruments through country samples, the studies are then focused on Turkey specifically.